Leadership Simulations in Action: A Look at Abilitie's Immersive Simulations
At Abilitie, we believe in learning through doing. That’s why AI-powered simulations are a cornerstone of our leadership development programs. While other L&D providers may include business simulations, there’s nothing quite like the Abilitie experience.
So, what’s it actually like to participate in one of our leadership simulations? We’ll share more below about what makes these learning moments so impactful.
Step Into A Future Role (Without The Risk)
“It feels freeing,” said Luke Owings, Abilitie’s VP of Product. “You’re stepping into a role that you’re not expected to be an expert at.” Whether it’s managing a team for the first time or tackling a business turnaround, our simulations invite learners to test themselves in roles they’re growing into—or aspire to grow into.
This immersive learning environment isn’t about getting everything right. “It feels challenging. It feels delightful, because you’re trying things out and getting feedback to understand what works and what doesn’t,” Owings explained. “It feels frustrating because it doesn’t always work. But it also feels communal, because we’re all on the journey together.”
Stay Engaged By Design
Our VP of Strategy, Matt Confer, sums it up best: “If you don’t have learner engagement, it doesn’t matter how good the content is.” That’s why every Abilitie simulation is
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“Abilitie doesn’t have a ‘one-size fits all’ offering. Their ability (pun intended) to adapt to our needs in such a short amount of time highlights the flexible nature of their product design and construct. As a client, that’s a highly valuable attribute of their offering.”
Teammates rely on each other, time limits keep the pressure high, and competitive elements spark energy and urgency. “True learning happens when you have the opportunity to make mistakes,” Confer says. “A simulated environment is a very safe environment. There tends to be a joyful environment because it’s just, by nature, very fun. It’s almost disarming. You’re not scared you might do something wrong.”
Experience Social, Not Solo, Learning
While many corporate learning platforms focus on solo content consumption, Abilitie champions human-centered, cohort-based learning. That means learners don’t just engage with the material; they engage with each other.
“You’re not learning in isolation,” Owings says. “You’re working with a partner or small group, articulating your thoughts and building deeper understanding through conversation.” Facilitators guide each session, helping learners reflect on their choices and extract actionable insights.
And that connection sticks. “The biggest byproduct is you’re building relationships with others at your organization that you might never have built before,” Confer adds.
AI Simulations That Amplify Leadership Development
We’ve taken this experiential learning model even further with our Case Challenges, which are interactive business scenarios where learners step into the shoes of a leader navigating a challenge. “Instead of reading about what happened, you actually have to communicate, discuss, deliberate, and make decisions with an AI character,” Confer shared.
These experiences are both human and tech-enabled, so the AI is there to deepen the practice, not distract from it. “Always keep the technology subservient to the learning,” Owings explains. “The advent of AI gives us the opportunity not just to read and analyze, but to actually embody that role.”
And, once again, the social piece is central. “More ideas unlock when a group of people go through Case Challenges together with a skilled facilitator,” Owings explained. “We’ve actively zigged where others have zagged because social learning is incredibly effective, and people are starving for it.”
Push Boundaries in a Safe Environment
Abilitie leadership simulations are intentionally designed to push learners beyond their comfort zones—without pushing them too far. We strike the balance between stretch and support. Facilitators and client partners work to ensure psychological safety with every step.
“When you first run new simulations, you’re making leaps of faith,” Owings says. “But we’ve had our simulations run through tens of thousands of times. We know where learners are going to get challenged and where they’ll be able to get through it.”
This thoughtful design leads to something powerful. “Having the right amount of challenge and comfort is, to me, how Abilitie simulations lead to the amazing feeling of exultation,” Owings says.
From Simulation to Transformation
Participating in an Abilitie leadership simulation isn’t just about mastering business fundamentals or leadership frameworks. It’s about stepping into a new version of yourself—one that takes risks, leads with confidence, and learns from reflection.
As Owings puts it, “We believe that story and lens matter for getting people to engage with something. Social experiences and practice are at the core of everything we do because it’s effective and leads to transformational change, not just skill development.”
